The lawsuit claimed Heartland Midwest was a contractor that Time Warner Cable hired to do drilling work in the Country Club Plaza and that Heartland Midwest was negligent in drilling without knowing the exact depth of a 2-inch natural gas line.

Kansas City Fire Department investigators said the contractor hit the line, causing a gas leak on Feb. 19.

The lawsuit said as the gas was leaking, the gas company and Michael Palier did not take appropriate steps to shut off the gas leak from another source and evacuate the area.

About an hour later, a large explosion erupted at the site of JJ's Restaurant, injuring more than a dozen people. Employee Megan Cramer died inside the restaurant.

Time Warner and MGE have not commented on the lawsuit.

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